Connected for Change

The United Justice Coalition Summit returns to New York City on Saturday, October 17, 2026, bringing together more than 1,000 leaders, advocates, experts, organizations, and community members committed to advancing justice.

Now in its fourth year, the UJC Summit creates a space for powerful conversations and meaningful connections centered on identifying actionable solutions to challenges within our criminal legal system. Through panel discussions, spotlight conversations, and opportunities to connect with organizations from across the country, attendees will gain greater insight into the issues impacting communities and concrete ways to help drive change.

Past UJC Summits have brought together influential voices from across advocacy, government, media, entertainment, philanthropy, and the criminal legal system — creating connections across industries and perspectives around a shared commitment to justice.

This year, we continue that work.

UJC Summit 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026
The Shed | New York City
FREE and open to the public.

Meet Our 2026 Speakers

Crystal Baker-Burr, Esq.

Director, Education Project, The Bronx Defenders
Nicole Paultre Bell

Social Justice Leader and Author
Dr. Jessica Clemons, MD

Board-certified Psychiatrist, Mental Health Advocate, Founder of Ask Dr. Jess
Dr. Jelani Cobb

Award-winning writer, political analyst, and Dean of Columbia Journalism School
Marcy Croft

Founder, MJ Legal, P.A.
Tiffany Crutcher, Ph.D.

Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Terence Crutcher Foundation
Lauren Curatolo

Deputy Division Chief, Pathways to Public Safety Division, Manhattan District Attorney's Office
Veronica Cunningham

Executive Director, American Probation and Parole Association
Hon. Aramis N. Donell

Executive Director, Fair and Just Prosecution
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson

Distinguished Professor of African American Studies, Vanderbilt University
Lauren-Brooke Eisen

Senior Director, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
Renita Francois

Deputy Mayor for Community Safety, City of New York
Francis “Frankie” V. Guzman

Managing Director of Youth Justice & Equity, National Center for Youth Law
Jessica Jackson

CEO - REFORM Alliance
Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren

Broward County Court Judge, 17th Circuit, Fl.
Mysonne Linen

Activist, Hip-Hop Artist, Founder of RAISING KINGS, Co-Founder of UNTIL FREEDOM, Author
Tamika Mallory

Co-founder, Until Freedom
Carmen Perez-Jordan

Chicana Feminist/Civil & Human Rights Leader
Judge Victoria Pratt

Former Chief Judge of Newark Municipal Court and founder of Pratt Lucien Consultants
Keri Rodrigues

Founder/President, National Parents Union
Rashad Robinson

Social Justice Leader and National Bestselling Author of From Presence to Power
Sue-Ann Robinson

Senior Attorney, Ben Crump Law
Angela Rye

Principal and CEO, IMPACT Strategies
David Safavian, Esq.

Chief Operating Officer, Unify.US
Topeka K. Sam, D.D. (Hon.)

Founder & CEO of The Ladies of Hope Ministries
Jordan Siev

Partner, Reed Smith LLP
Dan Slepian

Senior Investigative Producer, NBC News
Kempis "Ghani" Songster

Director, Transformative Healing and Restorative Justice, CFSY
Duke Tanner

The Duke of Freedom; Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Legacy Impact Technologies; Vice President, Community Affairs & Outreach, Engineered Tax Services
Dyjuan Tatro

Government Affairs and Development Associate at Bard Prison Initiative, Bard College
Charlamagne Tha God

Author & Radio Host
Ashley Starling Thomas

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Lisa M. Wayne

Executive Director National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Michelle West

Justice Advocate
Rachel Wright

National Policy Director, Right on Crime
Janine Yass

Advocate, Leader, Philanthropist, and Co-Founder of the Yass Prize